Inferno Aboard the USS Pittsburgh, Medal of Honor: Willis Winter Bradley Jr. / Ora Graves

Inferno in the Casemate: Valor Aboard the USS Pittsburgh

Names: Willis Winter Bradley Jr. / Ora Graves
Rank and Organization: Commander / Seaman, U.S. Navy
Conflict: World War I (non-combat incident)
Unit: USS Pittsburgh, U.S. Navy
Date of Action: July 23, 1917
Location: South Atlantic Ocean, aboard the USS Pittsburgh

Summary of Action:
In the predawn hours of July 23, 1917, as the armored cruiser USS Pittsburgh steamed toward Buenos Aires during World War I, a routine task aboard ship turned instantly catastrophic. In the after casemate, sailors were preparing saluting cartridges—simple ceremonial loads for peaceful port arrival—when a fatal accident occurred. A 3-inch charge exploded unexpectedly, killing Seaman C.T. Lyles instantly and filling the compartment with thick, choking smoke. Fires flared dangerously close to a stockpile of powder that, if ignited, would have torn the ship apart.

In the chaos and confusion, Lieutenant Willis W. Bradley Jr., who had been approaching the casemate, was knocked off his feet by the shockwave and momentarily rendered unconscious. As others fled or scrambled to respond, Bradley shook off the daze, crawled into the burning compartment, and—without regard for his own safety—began extinguishing the flames mere feet from volatile ammunition. His quick action prevented a secondary blast that could have killed scores and crippled the ship.

Simultaneously, Seaman Ora Graves, who had also been hurled to the deck by the force of the blast, regained his footing amid the smoke and confusion. Spotting burning debris near the same powder stock, Graves rushed into the clouded casemate. Knowing full well that another explosion was possible at any moment, he smothered the flames and made the area safe, acting on instinct and courage rather than orders.

These were not acts performed under enemy fire, nor in the heat of battle—but they were no less heroic. Both men, acting in the face of sudden and lethal danger, risked their lives to save their ship and crewmates. Their selflessness, presence of mind, and resolve prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss of American lives in wartime.

Medal of Honor Citations:

WILLIS WINTER BRADLEY, JR.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. Pittsburgh, at the time of an accidental explosion of ammunition on that vessel. On 23 July 1917, some saluting cartridge cases were being reloaded in the after casemate: through an accident an explosion occurred. Comdr. Bradley (then Lieutenant), who was about to enter the casemate, was blown back by the explosion and rendered momentarily unconscious, but while still dazed, crawled into the casemate to extinguish burning materials in dangerous proximity to a considerable amount of powder, thus preventing further explosions.

ORA GRAVES
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism on 23 July 1917, while the U.S.S. Pittsburgh was proceeding to Buenos Aires, Argentina. A 3-inch saluting charge exploded, causing the death of C. T. Lyles, seaman. Upon the explosion, Graves was blown to the deck, but soon recovered and discovered burning waste on the deck. He put out the burning waste while the casemate was filled with clouds of smoke, knowing that there was more powder there which might explode.